Legal Question in Family Law in New York

I am 17 and plan to be emancipated. I live in NY. My father and I are having religion issues and he began to get very mentally abusive (telling me I'm worthless, etc.) and sometimes quite aggressive (throwing a garbage bag of cans at the wall beside me, etc.) It got to the point that I had to see a counselor. When things did not get better I moved in with my grandparents. I have a job and am able to support myself. My father keeps threatening to tell me Catholic school things so that I will be kicked out. I fear that I will be moved into foster care before I turn 18 in 6 months. He recently sent an e-mail that I was to be home by September 7th. I am afraid of what he will do when I do not return home. He tells me I am insane and make things up. This is my senior year and college is on my mind. This situation began last year, causing my grades to fall. I have always been a good student and really need to do well this year. My house has always been a little off. Between the screaming and fighting it is hard to study. My 4 siblings and I often feed ourselves when there is food. My little brother and sister (12 and 6) are both underweight. My step mother has self diagnosed my little brother with ADHD and has him on many pills. No one washes our clothing, it is piling up around the house. We get sick very often because the house is dirty. My father has 2 of the 3 doors screwed shut so we cannot sneak out at night. This is a fire hazard. He knows my step mother used to throw my step sisters and me into things when she was angry, but ignores that fact. She had 2 abusive husbands before my dad saved her. No one cares that my 15 year old step sister does not come home at night. They have stopped looking for her and my step mother tells her she doesn't love her and cannot wait for her to be placed. I strongly believe that this little girl deserves better. We all do. My other step sister, 17 years old, has a baby in the house. All ready my 2 sisters and brother share one room. That room has seen everything-flees, MERSA, etc. Since I have moved in with my grandparents, I have not been allowed to visit my siblings anymore or go in to the house to get the rest of my things. My father has taken up a bad habit of drinking. When my step mother opens my mail then throws it away, or steals my debit card he does nothing. Theft is common in the house, I have a lock on my door at home because of it. Constantly my step mother tells the children in the house they are fat, going no where, she doesn't love them, etc. My goal is just to get through my senior year, do well, and go away. I cannot deal with the idea of foster care or failing in school. My father's threats are too much for me at 17.

How do I begin this emancipation process?

[email protected]

1 Answer from Attorneys

Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in New York

Looking for something else?